Strictly Sinatra

"Strictly Sinatra" tells of a young Glasgow club singer and Sinatra wannabe (Hart) who falls in with the mob while falling in love with the mob's ex-cigarette girl (Macdonald) and must choose between the mob and fame or the girl and love. A pleasing and enjoyable little comedy/light drama, the film is flavored with lots of old Sinatra standards, some gangster skullduggery, a few poignant moments, and just a spritz of romance. Although "Strictly Sinatra" is strictly a mediocre flick, it makes for an enjoyable small screen watch for those who don't mind dreary old Glasgow and thick Scottish accents.

There is something which, for me, is more compelling about films set in Europe which are made by filmmakers in their home areas. Even if Spielberg, Allen, Mamet or the like, from America, with all their talent and resources, make films in Great Britain, France, Spain, etc. - they never seem to gain the true "feel" of the locale as well as native producers and directors. As an example, absolutely nobody can evoke the true character and feel of Madrid and the rest of Spain like the great Amodóvar.

Although this small film is hardly in the category of one of Amodóvar's, it provides a true "feel" for Scotland and Glasgow, including its often gray, dreary atmosphere, in the most authentic manner, making the amusing, light story even better.

The music is great, the acting and characters engaging, and somehow the characters seem both realistic and fanciful, sometimes simultaneously, a trick many larger films miss.

As a bonus, we also can now see where Mike Myers likely obtained the accent he employed for the "Fat Bastard" character in his Austin Powers work.

Tony wanted a crowd. . .he got the mob.

That's the tag-line for Peter Capaldi's (writer/director), Strictly Sinatra. In this 97 minute romantic/drama we we meet Tony Cocozza (Ian Hart). He's a 28 year-old crooner in a bottom-feeding bar in Glasgow. He aspires to be the next singer sensation, dreams that Tony Bennett sneaks to watch his performance, and Old Blue Eyes crowns him the next in Strictly Sinatra in line to be King of the Rat Pack. Dreams. Always so far from the truth.

Bill (Alun Armstrong) is not only Tony's piano player the club, but his best –and possibly only– friend. It's when a mob boss and his wife are particularly taken with Tony's talent after seeing a show, that Tony's life is thrust into chaos. Bill's advice is to never accept a drink from the mob. Once you do, they have you. And what does Tony do? He accepts a drink. Next thing he knows he's helping mob crews collect shipments and storing them and delivering them.

In the midst of this new found attention, the mob assists Tony with his career some. (Not unlike Frankie's rumored push to stardom, some might say). He meets a cigarette girl named Irene (Kelly MacDonald). The two hit it off in a friend-zone kind of way. The attraction is there. The awkwardness of potential romance, too. The problem is, Tony is getting caught up in the misplaced glory and definition that comes with being someone who is . . . as he puts it, Connected.

Things go from bad to worse as the mob pulls strings on Tony's behalf, and Bill is clearly aware of what is taking place. Needless to say, he's not very happy about any of it. It is when Irene begins to see the light, and wants nothing to do with it that Tony realizes he might be making a huge mistake. But as it always seems to be with mobs, once you're in, getting out is impossible.

Faced with decisions that will carry extreme consequences, Tony must make choices that will no doubt end badly for some, worse for others. What will he do? What can he do? And is there really still time to do anything at all — or is it too late?

I thought Strictly Sinatra was entertaining. If it weren't for the accents, you'd think you were watching an Italian Mafia movie. The dialog is crisp and tight. The scenes are important and move the plot constantly forward. The acting is exceptional on all counts by each and every actor. I give Strictly Sinatra 4 of 5 Tombstones.

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I tuned in to see Kelly Macdonald (Trainspotting, The Loss of Sexual innocence), and was rewarded with what was the best performance I have seen of her so far. She was just alive and incredible as the love interest.

I got a bonus because the lead, Ian Hart (Breakfast on Pluto, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone) was excellent in the role of a hack lounge singer that got involved with the mob to get a break. He was lucky he didn't get a break - on his legs or arms. Watching him get sucked in for a chance was a great experience.

Along the way, we also got some fine performances from Brian Cox (The Ring, The Bourne Supremacy) and Alun Armstrong (Eragon, The Mummy returns.

And the music! You can just imagine from the title. Stupendous.

The cast in this film is terrific. Ian Hart gives a knockout performance as poor Tony, Alun Armstrong is, of course, superb, and Kelly Macdonald is a hidden gem - since Trainspotting she's been consistently excellent. And yet.....this film is diverting. Its not boring, but its not gripping, and though it leaves you with a warm glow inside and purring 'ahhh', there's nothing life re-defining in it. However, as a mildly homesick Scot, just the sight of normal Glasgow was refreshing!! I'd say, rent it, enjoy it, but lower expectations first. As usual for a British film, this has the parts, but simply cannot manage a spectacular finish. Regrettably, we still have to look to the Americans for that. Damn!!